Progress and upcoming actions 

Disabled Students’ advocacy – Reasonable adjustments and sensory rooms 

As a disabled student myself, this is something very close to my heart! 

I have been lobbying for making disability awareness training mandatory for all staff  

We’re close to getting a win - this is now being discussed at the VCG level (the University Management!) 🙌 

On developing the new disability awareness training module, I am also collaborating with Student Services to ensure effective co-creation with disabled students 🤝  

I’m also working on implementing sensory rooms on campus. I’m currently meeting different powerholders in the university and building a business case and co-creation framework with neurodivergent students! 

On Disabled Students Commitment, I’m also working with the university on a governance level to ensure disabled students are getting the accessible education they deserve. 

On national issues, I have campaigned as part of the NUS Liberation Collective, such as fighting against cuts to Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) ✊ 

Student Governor 

This is a very important role in the heart of the university’s decision-making body. I ensure that your interest as students is at the heart of the big decisions, such as the University’s Strategy Refresh.  

I’m also lobbying to improve student representation in the structure of the University’s Board of Governors, strengthening student voice in the long term 📢 

Cost of Studying - Bursaries 

Money, money, money 💷 

I’ve also been campaigning for better bursaries for working-class students, especially for those studying postgraduate courses or from low-income families just earning above the £25K threshold.  

They are now reviewing the awards and bursaries - I hope to bring you some good news soon! 

Cost of Living - laundry costs and food poverty 

Laundry cost campaign – it’s a difficult campaign but I am getting the university to look at the pricing of laundry in uni accommodation 👕 

I have also listened to users in Essentials Hub and feed it back to the Union’s cost-of-studying priority campaign 

Student Loans and Funding Campaign  

Dressed up as a shark and protested outside the parliament against the student loan repayment freeze 🦈 

I spoke at the parliament’s APPG for Students (Group of MPs interested) against the failed student funding model and marketisation, as well as its impacts on public services 

As a result, the Treasury Committee now launched an official inquiry – a Big Win! 

With fellow SU Reps and the Insight Team, we have submitted a submission on behalf of our students 

Fighting for International Students’ Rights 

I’m an active member of the NUS Migrant Students Rise group and we have organised: 

• Protest against hostile visa policies and restrictions on International Students 

• Campaigns to fight for restoring the Graduate Route Visa to 24 months, and against the graduate route levy 

• Campaigns against the unfair visa bans on international students from war-torn countries 

Pay the Placement  

As part of the national Pay the Placement campaign for healthcare students, I am working with the academic communities to thrash out our local campaigns – and promote it to other SUs! 

Gender-based Violence – Better Prevention and Support for Survivors 

In collaboration with Women’s Aid, I have organised a Healthy Relationship and Active Bystander training – please join the Reach Respect training on 22/4! 

I have also discussed with the Student Services on ensuring person-centred support for survivors and sexual misconduct prevention (especially in the next academic year & Welcome week) 

On a national level, with officers from other SUs, we’re campaigning to Make Misogyny a Hate Crime! Keep an eye out for our campaign video 👀 

Amplifying Your Voice Nationally - National Union of Students (NUS) 

I have made your views heard in the national student movement, including on Palestinian solidarity, Tuition Fees and Maintenance Support! I have: 

• Attending the NUS England Conference  

• NUS Regional Campaign Days! 

• Had 121s with the NUS President 

• Learning and sharing best practices with other SUs 

Community Organising (with faith, nationality and identity communities)  

I’ve listened to different communities to understand the issues affecting them. I’ve also helped out in different get-togethers and events, from Iftar with the Muslim community to Holi with the Hindu community, from the Disabled student community to the International Students community. 

I also make sure intersectional communities (students with multiple marginalised identities) are supported, such as organising a safe space for Black and Asian LGBTQ+ community 

Organising Nationally against Hate and Intolerance 

I’m also contributing to the NUS national guidance on intentional conversations with right-wing groups on campus, to make universities safer and more inclusive for all 🤝 

Mitigating circumstances (MC) - Fairer decision in times of network outage and more compassionate communication 

A small win on MC! 

To ensure MC applications are assessed fairly, I have successfully lobbied for automatic information sharing between the LIS team and the Student Registry on campus network outages  

My next step is to work with Academic Registry to make communications on MC more compassionate 🧡 

Recording of Teaching  

Recording of teaching is an area with significant pushback from academics – I have been building constructive relationship with trade unions and had frank discussions on this issue.